| Life fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sydney French Small |
| Born | October 31, 1893, in Norfolk, Virginia |
| Parents | John French Small and Eliza Hackley Bates |
| Spouse | Nathalie Pace |
| Home | 338 Robin Hood Road, Sherwood Forest, Roanoke |
| Principal role | Vice-president of the Norfolk and Western Railway |
| Public office | Mayor of Roanoke, 1934-1938 |
Genealogy of Sydney French Small
This genealogical account was constructed from the family information contained in the biography below. No relationships or life facts have been added from outside sources.
Sydney French Small was born October 31, 1893, in Norfolk, Virginia, a son of John French Small and Eliza Hackley Bates.
On February 23, 1922, he married Nathalie Pace, daughter of Sidney W. Pace and Virginia Ancell. The biography does not name any children.
Family outline
Sydney French Small
- Father: John French Small
- Mother: Eliza Hackley (Bates) Small
- Wife: Nathalie Pace
- Father: Sidney W. Pace
- Mother: Virginia (Ancell) Pace
Source
This biography appeared in History of the Shenandoah Valley: Family and Personal Records, Volume III (Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1952), pages 31-32.
Verbatim biography
The following is a faithful transcription of the original biography. OCR errors have been corrected against the printed page images, but the original wording, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and factual claims have not been rewritten.
SYDNEY FRENCH SMALL — Holding high executive office in the Norfolk and Western Railway, Sydney French Small has exercised a position of commercial and civic leadership in Roanoke. He is not only an official in a number of local enterprises, but he has served his community as mayor. Mr. Small has been vice-president of the Norfolk and Western since 1935.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia, October 31, 1893, Sydney French Small is a son of John French and Eliza Hackley (Bates) Small. His father was a shoe merchant, conducting a profitable business in Norfolk. The son attended Norfolk Academy from 1907 to 1910; and shortly afterwards entered the employ of the Norfolk and Western Railway.
His period of service with that organization dates from September 16, 1911, when he entered its employ as clerk and stenographer in the operating department. Mr. Small was made secretary to the general manager in 1913, and from 1920 to 1924 was secretary to the vice-president in charge of operation and traffic. He served as secretary to the president of the railroad from 1924 to 1929, was assistant to the president from 1929 to 1935, and assumed the office of vice-president in charge of taxation and public relations in 1935. He has held this office since, and in addition to the vice-presidency is assistant to the president.
Other commercial affiliations of Mr. Small are the vice-presidency of the Virginia Holding Corporation, and directorship of the following: The Jones Cold Storage Corporation; the Cavalier Hotel; the Roanoke Gas Company; and the Bank of Commerce in Norfolk. He is chairman of the Virginia Railway Association. Mr. Small was chosen by the electorate of Roanoke as mayor of the city, and served in that office from 1934 to 1938.
During World War I, Mr. Small enlisted in the Air Service, United States Army, and served with the rank of second lieutenant. In the World War II period, he was coordinator of civilian defense for the City of Roanoke.
Mr. Small is a member of the Shenandoah Club, the Roanoke Country Club, Lake Placid Club, New York, and the Commonwealth Club of Richmond. In his religious faith he is an Episcopalian.
On February 23, 1922, Sydney French Small married Nathalie Pace, daughter of Sidney W. and Virginia (Ancell) Pace. They make their home at 338 Robin Hood Road, Sherwood Forest, Roanoke; and Mr. Small’s office address is 10 North Jefferson Street, Roanoke.